About this episode

The episode discusses the shift from reactive maintenance to predictive service in commercial trades, highlighting the importance of a shared data foundation.

Leila Rookstook , Senior Industry Advisor, and Evan Smith , Group Product Manager at ServiceTitan , join host Amanda Salvatore to unpack the transformation of the commercial trades from reactive maintenance to predictive service. Drawing from Leila’s four-generation trade legacy and Evan’s expertise in enterprise AI, the pair outlines how a central shared data foundation bridges sales and operations to prevent equipment failures before they happen. They break down the three structural layers of predictive service: serial-level equipment history, make/model statistical context, and physical IoT sensor connectivity. They also share how tools like Atlas empower technicians to deliver speed, precision, and proactive solutions in the field. Join us as we discuss: [6:22] The trades’ evolution from reactive to predictive service and what that looks like in practice [13:27] How ServiceTitan is helping move the industry closer to predictive services through as shared data foundation [19:45] Confronting existing data gaps that prevent contractors from utilizing true predictive analytics [25:07] Why the future of the trades will focus on uptime as a service over repair You can find this…

People in this episode

Host: Amanda Salvatore

Guests: Leila Rookstook, Evan Smith

Topics covered

• predictive maintenance
• commercial trades
• data foundation
• equipment failures
• IoT sensor connectivity
• uptime as a service

Keywords

• predictive service
• reactive maintenance
• data gaps
• equipment history
• AI in trades
• Atlas tool
• contractors

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ServiceTitan

More episodes of Toolbox for the Trades

• All Within My Hands: Metallica’s Mission to Close the Skilled Labor Gap in the Trades · September 8, 2026 · 33 min
• Australian State of the Trades Report 2026: Operational Realities for Aussie Contractors · September 1, 2026 · 36 min
• Why Over-Engineered System Implementations Fail and Simple Data Scales · August 18, 2026 · 25 min
• The Three Pillars of Roofing Growth: Organic, Greenfield, and Acquisition · August 11, 2026 · 25 min
• Say “Yes” and Figure It Out: How to Turn Customer Needs Into Recurring Revenue · August 4, 2026 · 37 min
• Toolbox Rewind - The Best of Jackie Aubel - Inside ServiceTitan’s Referral and Brand Ambassador Programs · July 28, 2026 · 28 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Toolbox for the Trades podcast page.